Ludisia discolor, a jewel of an orchid
Ludisia discolor
- Exposure
- Shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Orchids Orchidaceae
- Genus
- Jewel orchid Ludisia
- Species
- Ludisia discolor
Other names:Haemaria discolor, Goodyera discolor
In the forests of Burma, in the shade of the trees, hides a treasure: Ludisia discolor. While its Phalaenopsis cousins shine with their inflorescence, this jewel orchid fascinates with its evergreen foliage.
How to recognize the Ludisia discolor jewel orchid?
Ludisia discolor is a terrestrial orchid. It has a short, creeping rhizome from which fleshy, reddish stems emerge at regular intervals.
They support rosettes of oval leaves. With their leathery texture, the leaf blades are reminiscent of succulents. The upper surface is velvety, dark green or purple. It is enhanced by red, orange or pink veins. The smooth underside is a solid red.
Between December and February, downy flower stalks emerge from the center of the leaves. The 25-centimetre stems are crowned with white flowers with yellow hearts. No taller than a centimetre, they grow in groups of ten at the top of a vertical stalk.
Like the other jewel orchids, macodes petola and anoectochilus chapaensis, Ludisia discolor is non-toxic. This tropical plant is harmless to humans and animals. Quite the contrary, in fact. The Chinese use its flowers to treat coughs, kidney disease and even insomnia.
Our care tips
Unlike Phalaenopsis, ludisia discolor are terrestrial varieties. They need a draining substrate and regular watering. But be careful not to drown their roots!
Watering
Place your Ludisia discolor in its pot in a container at least twice as large. Pour room-temperature, non-calcareous water into the larger container.
Soak your Ludisia discolor for 15 to 20 minutes, then put the plant back in its place. If you're using a saucer or planter, don't let the water stagnate. You risk rotting the roots.
Misting
Spraying foliage with water at room temperature improves humidity and reduces the risk of pest attack.
Mist the leaves with non-calcareous water, such as rainwater or demineralized water. Limescale leaves white marks on the leaf blades.
Mist the leaves with non-calcareous water, such as rainwater or demineralized water. Limescale leaves white marks on the leaf blades.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Ludisia discolor to give it more space.
Ludisia discolor are rhizomatous plants. They develop their root system on the surface and lengthwise.
Your Ludisia discolor will thrive best in a pierced, cup-shaped pot, wider than it is tall. If possible, choose a transparent model to check the condition and development of the roots. Once the rhizomes have colonized the container, it's time to repot.
Cover your pot with a layer of substrate. You can use potting soil for green plants with a little perlite, or create your own mixture. In this case, opt for a combination of peat moss and perlite or sphagnum moss, pine bark and leaf compost.
Place your Ludisia discolor in the center and fill with substrate.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Ludisia discolor, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Mix a special orchid fertilizer with the water to promote growth and flowering.
Prune
Mulch the base of your Ludisia discolor to protect it from the cold. Preferably use organic matter. As it decomposes, it enriches the soil.
Taking cuttings
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Take a stem about ten centimeters long, with at least one leaf and one node. Use a clean, sharp tool, such as scissors or pruning shears, to cut below the node.
Plant your graft in a container adapted to its size. To encourage root growth, we recommend a saucer-shaped pot with holes, wider than it is tall.
Fill the pot with potting soil for green plants, mixed with perlite. You can replace the potting soil with peat moss, or use a mixture of leaf compost, sphagnum moss and pine bark.
Place your seedling in the center and top with the substrate.
Place your seedling in the center and top with the substrate.
Disease / Threat
Information
Discover plants from the same family
Moon Orchid
Phalaenopsis amabilis
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
